Sin and Human Dignity Sin as a pronouncement of shame or condemnation harms the soul when we take it on in such a way as to feel hopeless or degraded. To those who are willing to look to something better, the Prophets were always kind and not condemning in their teaching. “Sin” reflects a simple lack of virtue. Since no one lives a perfect life, the best we can expect is to make mistakes sometimes and that we learn and grow from them. Religion or any path becomes hurtful when it breeds images of fear and shame in those who might violate its guidelines.

Spiritual Law is meant to guide us to the very Highest we can be, to show us the ways that make for success, help us build qualities of virtue, and help to build a better world.

Social and Eternal Laws Although the minor social guidelines have changed with each new Prophet, typically the major laws, such as the Ten Commandments are meant to last through all generations. Though times have changed, these things still stand. From age to age, Prophet to Prophet, Holy beings have always called us to restrain unhealthy appetites, most needfully around conduct involving others, as in sexual and other interactions. Exactly how we balance our own lives in respect to that is between ourselves and our Higher Power. Our efforts, when born of concern and caring, are met with love and kindness from Higher Beings and the Universal Spirit.

Sex Sex itself is no sin, and its sad that we humans take on such shame around it and our bodies. The way we use our sex is important though, for it can hurt others or maybe even mess with long- held norms to radically affect social order in ways we may not be ready for. The spiritual laws are meant to help us with this. There’s a lot to it all, and no one has any final answers as to what its all about. To my understanding, the Prophets of the major religions have said sex had best be restricted to the marriage bed. When that's not he way we do it, that simply tells us that we're human. Some faiths now sanction homosexuality, some attack it and others neither condone or condemn big departures from sex within the context of heterosexual marriage as part of a social structure that's been in place for ages.

Overcoming –​ Love, not Punishment or Shame Its easy to get discouraged trying to resist temptations of the moment even when acting on them results in pain. We should never hate or hurt ourselves for that, but rather turn to Something Greater. The Prophets have always had us put the love of Spirit before everything. Even when we lose out to “sin”, we can still work on our relationship to that Higher Place. The more we love that Spirit, the more we want to live in it always, and the less we turn to things that hurt or do not fill us. The love of the One and the pain of separation from it can help to keep us on a better path, even when our own self or ego might not choose that road.

When we temper our harmful inclinations, we create a harvest of the heavens in our own personal development. These are as trials of life given to us as gifts of growth. When we try to go the better way we grow in virtue. The attempt is priceless, whether we achieve our goal or not. By practicing turning our face to Higher Power we become more ready to meet and pass through the challenges of life unscathed.

Gentle Love for all

Spirit's guidance may have saved me from myself or from something even worse--I'm a "work in progress" that's for sure! Big challenges have inspired even bigger work to overcome them.

Spirit's wisdom offers us honor and healing in the verykindest way, saying that humanity is a "noble creation", sharing gently through the love of Prophets without preaching or condemnation. If we could only do as much, there would be a better feeling for the faiths and their supporters. ____________________________________________